All the store fronts and burnt out factories are taken. There's a few brunt out crack houses near by though. I know, it's not the same.

we do what we call The Upper Room on Maunday Thursday. We have it in the life Center/gym where we have one Sunday venues called Higher Ground. We start with Worship songs, then a short message. At the end of the message the speaker gives instructions for what to do next. Which is some altar/stations set up around the room:
-Anointing prayer {healing, etc.}
-intercessory prayer {coming on behalf of someone else.}
-communion [two of us pastors served it this year by the altar.]
-Footwashing segregated by portable dividers, for men, women, and families.
-Meditation [In your seat, with images and music. Some years we've had scripture or questions looping up on the screen.]
Then we close with a song or two. Its a meaningful time for those who come. We've decided to promo it more aggresively next year, whatever we do. Using less "church speak" would help too probably.

I'll be honest, we've done this exact format for the last 4ish years, and its stale. Attendance has dramatically declined each year since we've switched form the ChOG Footwashing "liturgy" that most of us are familiar with. We changed it up and did a couple different things, but lately we've kept it the same. I'm wondering if we come up with a rotation of a few different things. At least that will keep it fresh. I would like to see a little more ancient prayer included. Maybe give people a sheet/on screen, walking them through Lectio Divina or something like that.

Since living overseas and walking in sandles quite a bit I have started thinking that if we took the "faithful" who come on MT and told them to come in open toed sandles. Then before starting take a walk through the neighborhood. Maybe praying and thinking as you walk. Then stop at several intervals and read stuff Jesus said before MT. Then with all of the dirt, grime, and so on of the neighborhood on your feet do the foot washing and communion. It will give it a more real feel and well, it sure beats my mom's thing. She would make us pre-wash and change to clean socks and fresh shoes before foot washing service.

Good post. I think it is a unique thing that ChoG does that is going away when it could be so much more.

the last two years we have carved out holy week and "set it apart" by doing things to prepare for easter sunday. monday we had a "doubt night" where people could come with their speculations and practice community. we showed "the case for christ" after about 30 mins of coffee and snacks. tuesday we did a candle light tennebrae servce. wednesday we did a "samaritan project" where we tried to serve our neighbors around the church. thursday we had a youth rock choir come in for a concert then split up and did footwashing. on my blog there is a copy of the leaders guide. friday was a lunch hour communion and meditation where we played a mix tape of songs about the cross while "the passion of the christ" was shown on a our screen. saturday we did a city wide unity outreach service at the high school to for people to come and hear the gospel without having to dress up on sunday morning. and then business as usual on easter morning. all of this was accompanied by a devotional journal i typed up. basically all this so say, Maundy Thursday is best understood and celebrated in the context of other times of service and sharing Holy Week in our community.

Great subject that needs to be addressed. I'm in the same boat as many who are frustrated by stale services and poor attendance. I just came across this blog and look forward to more interaction in the future.